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fiflGNHROK 



a VISION OF THE 
LAST GREAT DAY 



By 
ARTHCR M. eROPTON 



Digitized by the Internet Archive 
in 2011 with funding from 
The Library of Congress 



http://www.archive.org/details/ragnarokvisionofOOcrof 



RAGNAROK 



A Vision of the Last Great Day 



BY 

ARTHUR M. CROFTON 




SYDNEY, N. S. 
PRIN I'ED FOR THE AUTHOR BY DON. MACKINNON 

1919 



Copyrght, Odober 18, 1919, 
at VV ashington, U-S.A. 



Copyright, Canada, 1919 
by Arthur M. Crofton 






CONTENTS 
Part I. 

Page 

The State of the World ... - 4 

Part II. 
The Song of Praise 13 

Part III. 
The De^rudion of all things ... 21 

Part IV. 
The New Jerusalem 31 



OCT 23 I9i9 



^ 



©UAiiitoove S^ 



INTRODUCTION BY THE AUTHOR. 



The following verses are published, in the 
hope that people, by reading them and the corres- 
ponding portions of the Bible, may realize that 
while the world and its intere^s are passing, the 
realities of God and his attributes will la^ forever, 
and that it is important to endeavor to please God, 
so that with belief in Christ and his redemption, 
they may obtain mercy in the la^ day, and be 
partakers of joys hereafter. 

It would almo^ be blasphemy for a man to 
^ate what is to happen at "The Great day of His 
Wrath" unless he were an inspired prophet. But 
this poem is only written to bring possibilities 
before the people, w^hich may cause them to read 
the Bible and to follow the teachings of Chri^, 
and with the hope of mercy to await Chris's 
second coming. 

''Go through the gates—prepare ye the way 
of the people.'' — Isaiah 62: 10. 

* 'Behold the Saviour cometh.'' — Isaiah 62: 11. 



RAGNAROK— References 



The time is at hand. 

Rev. 22:10. 



The earth is filled with violence. 

Gen. 6: 13. 



The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants 
thereof. 

Isa. 24: 5. 



o 



RAGNAROK 



A Vision of the Last Great Day. 



REAMING a dream one night, I saw 
A wondrous vision, that filled with awe 
The sinful creature, man. 



The State of the World. 



©LASPHEMY, crime and awful lu^, 
Murder and filth defiled the du^. 

Men covered were with awful sores — 
Their very life came through thek pores; 

Reptiles and every creeping thing 
Crawled o'er the earth with fearful sting; 

Insedts mo^ foul from filth came near 
Crept crawled and filled all men with fear. 

Locu^s and flies the grains consumed; 
Man fled, but by his sin was doomed. 



RAGNAROK— References 



God saw that the wickedness of man was great. 

Gen. 6: 5. 

Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of 
man is revealed. 

Luke 17: 30. 

I saw four Angels holding the four winds of the 
earth. 

Rev. 7: 1. 



The Lord said I will de^roy man. 

Gen. 6: 7. 



RAGNAROK— -Thf state of the world 



® 



The Approach of the End. 



ITH dread sound and ominous hue 
The Sun went down, the darkened 
moon then rose to view. 




STILLNESS then pervades the air 
The cahn does coming ^orms declare 

With sighs and moans not heard before 
Come slowly winds the wide world o'er. 

Swifter and swifter on they come 
Increasing with the rising sun 

Which quickly turns like blood in hue 
And lights the world in color new; 

Thus with the world in trouble deep 
Come Angels that are sent to reap. 



8 RAGNAROK— References 



They will see the smoke of her burning. 

Rev. 18: 19. 



The time is at hand. 

Rev. 22: 10. 



RAGNAROK— The state of the world 



o 



The Supernatural Begins. 



HE powers of dark, by wrath digressed 
Loosed on the earth they seek for re^, 



But, while on their wicked pa^ they dwell, 
The la^ cursed fumes arise from hell. 

Now silence reigns on every side; 
Naught does the day from night divide. 

On earth moves neither brute nor bird. 
Nor is the sound of man's voice heard. 

But, lo! there comes a loud, long peal. 
Like to the voice of Israfeel, 

O'er the earth as waters sounding. 
Through ages of a pa^ time ringing. 

Hark! 'tis the voice of Gabriel, 
Piercing through heaven, earth and hell; 



10 RAGNAROK— References 



The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be 
raised incoruptable. 



Cor. 16: 52. 



And he that sat upon the cloud thrust in his sickle. 

Rev. 14: 16. 



Our sins testify against us. 

Isa. 59- U 



RAGNAROK—The state of thb World 11 




** The Trumpet Shall Sound/^ 



ND thus the Angels of his God, 
He ^arts to earth, upon their road, 

Saying "The time is come to reap; 
Reap for earth's harvest now is ripe," 

And He that sat upon the cloud, 
Thru^ in his sickle, and cried aloud: 



(( 



Rise ye who holy lives have led, 
The sick and poor have nursed and fed." 

He who came from the temple forth. 
Cried o'er the earth from south to north: 

"Rise ye who hold the world mo^ dear, 
Rise ye who have a judge to fear; 

But to heaven arise that ho^ 

Who love the Lord their God the mo^." 



12 RAGNAROK— References 



Praise ye bim all his angels. Praise ye him all 
his ho^s. 

Psalm 148:2. 



Israf eel — The angel whose voice is the sweete^ 
sound in heaven. 

Encyclopedia. 



RAGNAROK 13 




THE SONG OF PRAISE 



GAIN I saw another sight; 
Heaven's great ho^ in radiance bright, 



Adoration's praises singing, 
Long their loud hosannas ringing; 

In heaven, at e'en, o'er hill and dell, 
Sounds the sweet voice of Israfeel, 

Pealing an anthem, loud and long, 
Praising in heart and voice and song. 



14 RAGNAROK— Rei^erences 



All thy works shall praise thee O Lord. 

Psalm 145: 10 



There is none other name under heaven g:iven 
among men, whereby we must be saved. 

A<5ts 4: 12. 



RAGNAROK— The Song of Praise 1.5 




AH Nature Gives Glory to God* 



S breams of sparkling water flow, 
Echoing, as they onward go. 

Resounding o'er the waterfall. 
Murmuring, in the ^ill pool's pall. 

Speaking with nature's voice at e'en. 
Wafting with the winds of heaven. 

Crying, with the breaking sea: 
"Great glory be O Lord to Thee;" 

"Jesus of man the saviour king, 

"To Thee the heavens in praises ring; 

"Praise we the works of our great God, 
Thy judgments true we love O Lord, 



(( 



"Thy love it shall forever ^and 
"Embracing all our holy band, 

"Thy mercy is forever sure. 

"And shall from now for e'er endure. 

"We praise thee O thou Lord of might, 
"Qlorious in thine awful light." 



16 RAGNAROK— References 



Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the 
world. 

Cor. 6:2. 



Hereafter ye shall see the son of man sitting on 
the right hand of power, and coming in the 
clouds of heaven. 

Matt. 26: 64. 



RAGNAROK—The Song of Praise IS 




The Judgment Scene. 



WIFTLY o'er earth, from left to right, 
Under a cross of heavenly light, 

To thrones of white, amidst the air. 
Come countless saints as judges there. 

They come down softly, on their way. 
Shining as ^ars ere break of day. 

Silence and awe o'er all preside, 
Moves through the throng a holy tide, 

As they behold on every side, 

The glory of Christ, who for them died. 

He comes with radiance through the sky, 
While angel chorus peals on high. 



18 RAGNAROK— References 



As the voice of many waters and as the voice of 
mighty thunderings. 



Rev. 19: 6. 



And there were sealed an hundred and forty and 
four thousand. 

Rev. 7: 4. 



Let us be glad and rejoice aud give honor. 

Rev. 19: 7. 



ffi 



RAGNAROK— The Song of Praise 19 

The Call of the Last Day. 

ARK now the scene. From Heaven's gold gate, 
Like to the sound of thunders great, 



Like to many waters sounding, 
Like the chords of harpers harping. 

The hosts of Heaven, the small the great 
Move close to the still open gate; 

And listen to the last great call. 

To the good on earth, ere its final fall. 

An angel, with a trumpet cry. 
Rings this command across the sky: 

"Come now with praises ever sure, 

Ye twelve twelve thousand souls so pure; 

'Stand there ye saints whose stories tell 
'How on the earth ye ruled well, 

"Raised many a weaker man who fell. 
And saved their souls from sin and hell. 

"Now, blest by mercy all divine. 
Your souls as stars in Heaven shine; 

"For in your mouths were found no darts. 
And truth ye spake from out your hearts: 

Saying, "Fear God and give glory 
For the hour of judgement has come." 



20 RAGNAROK— References 



The indignation of the Lord is upon all nations. 

Isa. 34: 2. 



They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity. 

Isa. 59: 4. 



Thou said^ I shall be a lady forever, so that thou 
did^ not lay these things to thy heart. 

Isa. 47: 7. 

Repent ye for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 

Matt. 3: 2. 

I am the Lord and beside me there is no saviour. 

Isa. 43: 11. 

Him that cometh to me I will in nowise ca^ out. 

John 6: 37. 



RAGNAROK 21 



THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL THINGS. 



Q 



Satan^s power enlarged for a time. 

OW Satan leads with impish wrath, 
His darkest forces o'er the earth, 



And fallen angels, by their power, 
Lead downward to the fatal hour. 

All those who hurt the sick, the lame. 
Or take God's holy name in vain. 

Or make the mock of God their boast, 
An unrepenting, wicked host; 

Building great cities, from whose sites. 
Rise towers huge to Babel's heights 

Obscuring thus the sun's bright rays, 

And nature's works, which tell God's praise. 

Heedless of warnings sent from God, 
Men tread the paths their fathers trod; 

Prophets and preachers come and go, 
Signs come as rivers overflow: 

But to God's love men will not bend; 
Though time draws on — then comes the end. 



32 RAGNAROK— References 



Michael and his angels fought again^ the dragon. 

Rev. 12:7. 



He went forth conquering. 

Rev. 6: 2. 



I looked and behold a pale horse. 

Rev. 6: 8. 



RAGNAROK— The destruction OF all things 23 



•*Thc Call to Arms/ 



XN HEAVEN the angels 
Stop for a space their song of praise' 
Michael his martial force arrays: 

The angel hosts, on steeds like snow, 
To the great fight to conquer go, 

With the red cross of holy war: 
Plague, Pestilence and Famine sore, 

And Fever with its blighting breath 
Rides on the pallid horse of death; 

Yea! rides and takes within his grasp 
Those sin has ruined by its clasp; 

Then looms o'er earth a dull red light 
Of fires from hell, where devils fight. 



24 - RAGNAROK— References 



The heavens shall be rolled together. 

Isa. 34: 4. 



With breakings shall the earth be broken. 

Isa. 24: 19. 



It shall be in an infant suddenly. 

Isa. 29: 16. 



Said to the mountains and rocks fall on us and 
hide us from the wrath of the Lamb. 

Rev. 6: 16. 



RAGNAROK— The destruction of all things 25 



<< 



And there was a Great Earthquake/' 




[WEEPS o'er the earth a sighing breeze, 
And, heaving move the restless seas; 

From their great posts the heavens fly. 
While angel hosts appear on high. 

They move to earth with circling track. 
Their swords the lightning flashing back; 

Led by St. Michael first they stop. 
And rest upon the mountain top. 

Then mighty cities, ere their doom. 
See from the dread volcanoes loom, 

A dark, a burning, moving mass, 
Down o'er the mountains quickly pass. 

It sweeps o'er rocks, and hills, and dales. 
Against all obstacles prevails. 

It buries cities, kings and thrones. 
Amidst their last most awful groans. 

And then the heat, on the mighty deep, 
Shall swiftly loose the glaciers great. 

And sweep they shall from pole to pole. 
And down from mountain heights shall roll. 

To crash o'er city, stream and plain. 
That long, beneath in sin have lain: 

And to the living, and the slain. 

With their loud grinding voice proclaim, 



26 RAGNAROK— References 



For the great day of his wrath is come. 

Rev. 6: 17. 



There shall be no more sea. 

Rev. 20: 2. 



No peace saith the Lord unto the wicked. 

Isa. 48:22. 



There remaineth a re^ to the people of God. 

Heb. 4:9.. 



And he ca^ him into the bottomless pit. 

Rev. 20: 3. 



Uriel. . . .is apppointed to ca^ down the sun. 

Encyclopedia. 



RAGNAROK— The destruction of all thing§ 37 



The wrath of God; and this the end, 
That now to Him sin's power must bend. 

And the great oceans rise up, in froth, 
And sweep o'er the sad face of earth. 

Now come the hosts of warriors bright, 
The last great powers of sin to smite. 



o 



"And Satan shall be bound.' 



EVILS agha^ at these dread scenes. 
Which to them death, and evil means, 



And seeking life in this dread hour; 
Far from this awful ^rif e they cower; 

Thence, shrinking, are by angels found. 
Seized, and with mighty cords are bound, 

Then carried to some mountain peak. 
And ca^ from there with hellish shriek. 

Into a va^ and deep abyss. 

From whence comes up a con^ant hiss, 

Of fighting, and of waging war 
And many cries of torment sore; 

For Uriel hath ca^ down the sun. 
Which hath at la^ its long course run. 



28 RAGNAROK— References 



He will swallow up death in vidory. 

Isa. 25: 8. 



The la^ enemy that shall be de^royed is death, 

1 Cor. 15:26. 



God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. 

Rev. 21:4. 



RAGNAROK— The destruction of all things 29 



G 



The Power of God Manifested. 



HE face of God, like lightning bright, 
Shone o'er the frightened worlds with might; 



They topped, they Parted, on they sped. 
As meteors through the sky have fled. 

The silver stars their ways pursued, 
The planets their quick flight renewed; 

The comets o'er the heavens race; 
Their la^ long course begun in space. 



o 



UR Chri^, who conquered death before, 
Enters the battlefield once more. 



Chri^ with his angels then de^royed 
Death and the powers Death employed. 



8 



RIGHT be the morn of that la^ day 
In which the world shall pass away; 



Brighter the break of that great dawn 
When everla^ing day is born. 



30 RAGNAROK— References 



I saw a new heaven. 

Rev. 21:1. 



The Lord shall be thine everla^ing light. 

Isa. 60: 20. 



Names written thereon which are the names of 
the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. 

Rev. 21: 12. 



Descending out of heaven. 

Rev. 21:10, 



RAGNAROK 31 



THE NEW JERUSALEM 



n 



* 'Behold the New Jerusalem.^* 



O! the bridal new Jerusalem, 
Crowning the skies as diadem, 



Shining o'er heaven far and near, 
Filling the saints themselves with fear. 

Bright as the ea^ern sun at noon. 
Clear as the silver autumn moon; 

Walls of jasper and cry^al light, 
Jewelled foundations sparkling bright. 

Its gates of pearl all radiant are. 

The twelve tribes' names shine from afar. 

Softly as summer's evening breeze. 
Smoothly as sunset painted seas. 

As graceful eagles soar their way: 
Down to the earth in bright array; 

The city of cele^ial day. 
Lightly descends upon its way. 



32 RAGNAROK— References 



And the nations of them which are saved shall 
walk in the light of it, and the kings of the 
earth do bring their glory. 

Rev. 21:24. 



RAGNAROK— The New Jerusalem. 33 



o 



"And there shall be no night/ 



VER the city a glory shines, 

From God whose righteousness divines 



Day from night; and radiance bright 
Comes from a throne, all clothed in light; 

Around it ^and all nations tair. 
From the dark world exalted there, 

Gathered from earth both far and near, 
The splendor of earth's thrones appear. 



34 RAGNAROK— References 



He shewed me a pure river of the water of life. 

Rev. 22: 1. 



RAGNAROK— The New Jerusalem 35 




**Two trees with twelve manner of fruit/* 



river, from the throne above, 
Flows onward — it is perfedt LoVE; 

It waters, in this bHssful space. 
The trees of Mercy and of Grace, 

Caresses, in its onward way. 

Twelve fruits with which the angels play, 

Their Art, Faith, Hope and Charity, 
Their Music and their Purity, 

Their Wisdom and their Holiness, 
Ensure their Power and Happiness; 

Their Beauty reigns where'er they go 
Their Song is drifting soft and low. 



36 RAGNAROK— References 



God is love. 

1^ John 4: 8. 



Look unto me and be ye saved for I am God and 
there is none else. 

Isa. 45:22 



RAGNAROK— The New Jerusalem 37 



**I am the beginning and the end saith the LordJ 



X 



N heights above, in depths beneath, 
These gifts of God our souls enwreath. 



Of all those things which ne'er shall cease 
When comes around us perfedt peace. 

The be^ and greater thing above 
Is our Almighty God's great Love. 



** were more nohle in that 

they received the word with all 
readiness of mind, and searched 
the Scriptures daily, whether these 
things were so.'' — Acts 17: 11 



NOV r: 1919 



LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 



018 603 934 8 



